Real estate, Gucci and Grumpy Cat

Real estate, Gucci and Grumpy Cat

Internet sensation Grumpy Cat was greeted by a large crowd for her book tour stop at Kitson at The Linq. The line stretched out to the Strip. More than 500 fans were waiting when the doors opened at 6 p.m. (Norm Clarke/Review-Journal)

Real estate, Gucci and Grumpy Cat

Norm Clarke is one of Las Vegas's most notable and recognizable celebrities. This eye-patched man-about-town knows it all about this vibrant city in the desert -- where to go, what to do, and most importantly, where to see and be seen.

“It was great publicity,” said Glusman, who still has four seats on Gucci Row.

A record crowd of 20,321 jammed the arena that night to see the top-ranked Rebels destroy 12-ranked Navy, 104-79.

Back then you would have seen Steve and Elaine Wynn, Irwin and Susan Molasky, famous boxers and many other members of the who’s who club.

Times change. One of the most familiar faces now is Austin “Chumlee” Russell of “Pawn Stars” fame.

MAGIC EVENING

Some of the biggest names in magic chipped in and bought the beloved Johnny Thompson, a mentor to many, a new Cadillac for his 80th birthday last week.

The surprise party took place Thursday at the Four Seasons, with Rio headliners Penn Jillette and Raymond Teller leading the tribute. Siegfried &Roy, David Copperfield and Lance Burton also were involved.

The car was pearl white with two bikini girls in the backseat.

Stuart Beck, a member of the props team for “Love,” the Cirque du Soleil-Beatles collaboration, tweeted a photo of Jillette, Siegfried Fischbacher and himself with the caption “Of course we didn’t tell Johnny we only leased it.”

Copperfield said Penn and Teller deserve all the credit for putting it together.

“Johnny’s one of the great guys in magic history,” Copperfield said.

A Polish-American from Chicago, Thompson worked the Strip for decades under the stage name “The Great Tomsoni,” with his wife, Pamela Hayes. In recent years he has been working behind the scenes for Penn and Teller, Burton and Criss Angel.

Thompson was honored with a second party at the Italian American Social Club on Sunday.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

The waiting line Tuesday for Grumpy Cat’s book tour stop at Kitson in The Linq stretched all the way to the Strip. Fans began arriving at noon. By 6 p.m., more than 500 were in line.

The latest dinner conversation with former Mayor Oscar Goodman is Thursday at Oscar’s Beef Booze and Broads at the Plaza. Goodman’s topic this time around: “Jay Sarno: King of the Goddesses.” Caesars Palace, a Sarno creation, turned 48 on Tuesday. Dinner costs $120. Oscar’s stories: priceless. …

“The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally starts Aug. 4. But times have changed. Now even biker gangs are into recycling. When the motorcycle rally is over, the gangs go around responsibly collecting trash, bottles, and broken teeth.” — Craig Ferguson

Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke. “Norm Clarke’s Vegas,” airs Thursdays on the “Morning Blend” on KTNV-TV, Channel 13.